Chapter 32: Finding a Good Master

Seeing that Lu Lan was not going to risk his life, Li Laifu stopped restraining his grandson; it was time to show off some real skill. He had great confidence in his grandson’s marksmanship.

Salted Fish: ??
What is going on?
It turns out he had walked right into a trap of his own making. Salted Fish’s face contorted, cold sweat broke out instantly, and his legs felt as heavy as if they were filled with molten lead.

"Grandpa, I mean, if we just hang the pear on the eaves and let him shoot it, the effect would be exactly the same."
"If that won't do, it would be much safer if I just held it in my hand."
What kind of logic is it to put it on top of his head!

"Shut up! Since when does a target stand talk back?"

"Grandfather, I don't dare to shoot. I'm afraid I'll cover that brother's face in blood." Li Changwei was only five, after all, and he was terrified, his hands trembling uncontrollably.

Seeing this, Lu Lan considerately pulled a woman’s silk scarf from his robes, folded it several times, and blindfolded Li Changwei.

"This way, you won't see any blood. Go ahead. If you hit that pear, there will be a generous reward."

*Pfft!*
Salted Fish nearly coughed up a mouthful of blood; this was clearly an attempt to get him killed!

Amidst the frantic silent screaming in Salted Fish’s heart, Li Changwei quickly adjusted his breathing, as if a pair of eyes had sprouted within his mind.

Three breaths later, he expertly drew his bow, notched an arrow, and fired.

*Whoosh!*

The crudely crafted wooden arrow struck the rotting pear on Salted Fish’s head, dead center.

Salted Fish let out a soft whimper, collapsed onto his backside, and ended up wetting himself.

Lu Lan picked up the arrow from the pear, looking extremely satisfied. He walked over and patted Li Changwei on his small head.
"Where are your parents?"

A look of confusion flickered in Li Changwei's eyes; it seemed there were no shadows of parents in his memory.

His grandfather, Li Laifu, sighed and said, "Reporting to my master, my son was also killed by the foul miasma. We were grateful that the estate provided a coffin and a burial plot, so he is buried on the mountainside. My daughter-in-law passed away during childbirth."

Seeing they were a family of poor souls and hereditary servants of the estate, Lu Lan decided to nurture Li Changwei well; he would surely become a great man in the future.

"Old Li, if I take your grandson back to the Duke of Yu’s mansion, teach him to read and write, and send him to a martial arts school, would you be willing?"

Upon hearing this, Li Laifu’s eyes immediately welled up with tears. According to the hierarchy of servants in the Duke of Yu’s mansion, he was a fourth-class servant who usually couldn't even enter the main gates, only fit to guard the marginal properties on the outskirts of the city. He had never dreamed of returning.

The Li family had only one sprout left; if he stayed on Mount Dadong, the lineage would end.

To return to the estate to serve his master was a blessing his grandson had cultivated over many lifetimes, not to mention that the young master was offering to teach him reading and martial arts. If he could become a guard for the estate in the future, that would truly be an honor to his ancestors.

Who on earth said their young master was a spendthrift? He was clearly a living Bodhisattva, a benevolent and righteous master.

Li Laifu’s knees went weak; he knelt and kowtowed heavily, moved to tears.
"This old servant thanks the master for his mercy..." Fearing Lu Lan would change his mind, he quickly pulled his grandson over and pressed him to the ground to kowtow. "Grandson, hurry and thank the master for his kindness. You have met a truly great master."

"Thank you, Master, for your kindness," Li Changwei said in his childish voice, looking very endearing.

Lu Lan told Salted Fish to go fetch the horses to prepare for departure. However, he noticed Li Changwei standing beside Li Laifu, clutching his sleeve tightly, looking as if he did not want to leave.

Lu Lan understood without being told. He walked over and patted his small head.
"Are you worried that your grandfather will have no one to take care of him?"

Li Changwei hung his head in silence.

Li Laifu laughed heartily, "You silly child, your grandfather is strong and can take care of himself. Hurry and go back to the estate with the master."

Li Changwei still refused to let go.